Man suspected in July kidnapping, attempted murder arrested

Around 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, El Dorado County deputies spotted Woodruff driving a stolen Meeks Lumber truck on Highway E16. Deputies attempted to make a traffic stop, but Woodruff fled, leading authorities on a 23-minute pursuit, said Becker.

News10/KXTV, Oct 25, 2012

A man suspected of kidnapping and shooting another man in July 2012 was arrested on Tuesday following a 16-mile chase.

Lieutenant Tim Becker of the El Dorado County Sheriff's Department said Dustin James, 27, was wanted in connection with the kidnapping , beating and shooting of Bryan Santana, 35, of Placerville.

According to Becker, El Dorado County deputies were contacted by Marshall Hospital personnel on July 2 while Santana was being treated for injuries he claimed were sustained in a motorcycle accident. However, the medical staff noticed his injuries were consistent with a shooting, rather than a motorcycle wreck, and contacted the sheriff's department.

Deputies dispatched to the hospital questioned Santana, who eventually admitted to being shot. However, he did not recall who had shot him or how the shooting had occurred, said Becker.

Santana survived his injuries.

The ongoing investigation into the case revealed that Santana had been shot and kidnapped by Woodruff, who was on probation and had an outstanding warrant for his arrest, Becker said. During further probing into Woodruff's background, deputies and detectives suspected Woodruff of multiple property crimes around the county.

Then , around 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, El Dorado County deputies spotted Woodruff driving a stolen Meeks Lumber truck on Highway E16. Deputies attempted to make a traffic stop, but Woodruff fled, leading authorities on a 23-minute pursuit, said Becker.

A spike strip was eventually deployed to bring the pursuit to a close, but Woodruff continued driving on damaged tires. Unable to control the truck on blown tires, Woodruff veered off the roadway, hit an embankment and rolled the truck, Becker said.

According to Becker, Woodruff then got out of the truck and attempted to flee on foot, but was quickly apprehended.

Woodruff was arrested for multiple violations including the original attempted murder, kidnapping and multiple property crimes.

The El Dorado County Sheriff's Dept. urged anyone with information on the kidnapping, shooting or any property crimes with which Woodruff may have been involved, to contact Detective Mike Lensing at (530) 642-4703.